Thursday, June 21, 2007

Great Big Blog Party 18 - Julie Cohen

So here's another of my 'ex-virgins'. Julie Cohen is one of the original group of four who came to the Durham conference in 2002 (you'll meet another of this special group at the party soon). Once again Julie is someone I 'met' on the eharlequin message boards. We chatted, I learned she was an American married to a Brit, teaching English - when the RNA Conference came around and I knew she was going, I started a newsletter to put her and three others in contact. We met in person at Durham and she's been in my life ever since. And I couldn't be happier about that.

Julie was one of the very earliest published 'virgins'. She submitted to Harlequin's Temptation line when that still existed and so was one of the launch authors when Temptation became Modern Extra (Sexy Sensation in Australia). She has also published Spirit Willing, Flesh Weak in the Little Black Dress line for Headline.

Julie's post is, she says, short, but she hopes sweet. As she has a very young (and adorable) son, is currently back teaching, and is also writing, she's stretched pretty thin but wanted to join in the party. Her current book - All Work and No Play is currently on sale alongside The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge.

So here's Julie Cohen

I thought I would write a poem to celebrate Kate's heroes. But I sort of ran into difficulties. For one thing,I couldn't find anything to rhyme with "Hugh in a towel" except for "poo on a dowel", which doesn't really evoke the correct image.

Ahh... GuidoI devoured your book like a bag of Cheetos.The things you do to Amber's libido.Amber's defenses have been torpedoed.Saving your marriage is your credo.Who wouldn't love to see you in a Speedo.

Amanda, if you saw me right now you would be reassured that I am following those rules to the letter. Inventory of my appearance right now:

wrinkled top with baby drool encrusting shoulder--CHECKbaggy down-at-heel jeans sporting baby rice and banana--CHECKno eye makeup as am suffering from pollen count--CHECKno jewellery as baby eats it--CHECKbags under eyes from habitually getting up for the day at 5 am--CHECKnails that have seen neither varnish nor file for many a long month--CHECKhair scraped behind ears so baby will not tug at it--CHECK

Kate’s written 50 heroes to tempt a saint.Strong, sexy men that make us swoon & faintYou ask us to choose just one from all theseWho makes us get hot & weak in the knees.

I’ve pondered & thought & still can’t decide.Which of these heroes should be by my side?Each one has a quality that touches my heart,Thoughts of them are how my fantasies start.Images are now running wild in my head.If given the choice, who’d be sharing my bed?Why, you ask, do I feel I must stall?Because it’s not fair! I want them all!!

I have deadlinitis so I'm not going to post a rhyme, but I've been impressed by the poetry so far!

I thought Lord Alfred might be the BM in disguise. But then again, Kate knows several other poets. (I will never look at blood donors in the same way again, after Lincoln *g* - or cows on top of mountains, for that matter...)